cooked and almost done...

 

A few months ago I started listening to Michael Pollan's Cooked.  He reads his own books, so you sort of feel like he's sitting in the room with you casually chatting about food.  (I often find myself putting him on pause and going to grab a snack or clean out the fridge.)

 

This latest book describes how fire, water, air, and earth transform food.....by grilling, braising, baking, and fermenting.  He apprentices with masters in each area...and he tells you his successes and frustrations with each.  I got distracted with other books after finishing the braising section, and just started in again with 'air' (baking).  I was actually listening to him and his assorted attempts with sourdough starters when my doorbell rang....and a friend delivered some of her sourdough starter that I had begged for a few weeks ago.  (I tried real hard not to find the coincidence creepy, but it sort of was.)

 

I'm pretty excited to get some of this starter....it's been tried and true and bubbling for over 20 years!!  I was assured that I couldn't mess it up, although to listen to all that Michael Pollan went through to get his perfect loaf has me somewhat intimidated!  We'll see.

 

On the needles?

 

 

 

33 squares to go!

 

joining Ginny, Tami, and Nicole

Comments

[Tracy]

That book is on my reading list--and I'm on the waiting list from it from the library! VERY exciting about your bread baking adventure. Since last year (when digestion/bowel issues were something I was dealing with) I've been baking my own crispbread and bread. Soooo GOOD! It's worth the time & energy to make one's own--of anything, really! The blanket is sooo gorgeous, Steph... *drool*... Almost done! ;o) Happy Day ((HUGS))

[Tracey]

Thank you for the book review, I will be picking that book up soon. I do love Michael Pollan.
A 20 year old start, it must taste awesome. My started will be 2 in April. I am trying to keep it alive so I can make sure I pass on some to
Emerson when she is grown.
You can whip 33 squares out in no time!

[tanna]

Ooooh, I had a sourdough starter thirty years ago... made bread EVERY week and I finally had to kill it off... the added pounds were getting fierce! Even with giving bread away every week, too! LOL! It was so very good... sometimes I wish I still had that starter. I'll enjoy hearing how you like it! LOVE those mitered squares. =) blessings ~ tanna

[Lisa @ HappyinDoleValley]

I have been reading the same book off and on for a long while (a gift from the husband). I especially liked the section on bbq which made me want to become a pit master if only I had the spare time -- haha! Will look forward to hearing how your sourdough turns out. I've baked with it off and on for years and have a love/hate relationship with it.

Your squares are knitting together so beautifully. :)

[isaida]

Loving your blanket. I can't wait to see when it's all done.

[taryn oakley]

I really enjoyed Cooked. And your blanket? That is amazing! SO SO SO gorgeous!

[Tien]

Really need to check out that book. Sounds interesting! Can't believe that you are almost done with the blanket!

[Jennifer Miller]

I love seeing progress on your square sock yarn blanket! So close to finishing!

[Kelly J. R.]

I admire those of you who have the patience and dedication to knit something that has so many squares! I would love a beekeeper's quilt but I know that I would never finish all of those little hexipuffs!

[Sara]

Good luck with the sourdough! My grandmother always made the best bread because my grandfather refused the stuff in the stores.

How long does it take you to do a square? 33 squares sounds almost done, but it could be aaaagggesss!

[Emma]

Blanket is beautiful! all those colors.
Good luck with your sourdough bread, I've never tried making it but I did do join in with some friendship cake that was going around this summer - delicious!

[Debby]

I haven't heard of Michael Pollan but now want to find out all about him. We want to start making sourdough again...what a coincidence about the friend arriving with the dough...serendipitous. There's a young guy in London that has a bakery specialising in sourdough. Apparently one day an old lady brought his some sourdough that was from a batch started off over a hundred years ago...!!!
I hope that yours survives as long.
deb

ps I love the colours in your quilt. It really makes me want to start off something similar.

[Erin @ Wild Whispers]

Oh, that blanket. So beautiful, Steph.

[Meghan]

Noticed you are a fan of rhubarb. My grandfather planted quite a lot of rhubarb in our small yard when I was a child. My mother made rhubarb and raisin pies all summer and even froze many so we would have them in the winter. I know that rhubarb and strawberry is everyone's favorite but if you really love the tartness of rhubarb you should try her rhubarb and raisin pie. I would be happy to share the recipe if you wish.

[Annie @ knitsofacto]

It's looking good! Have you succumbed and started on the jacket yet?

[karen]

I could swear I commented on this post, but maybe it's a dream. Love your bubbly starter and by now that blanket is a at da done!! Have a super weekend!!!

[Diane]

my favourite topics lately: home made artisan bread and knitting!